Principal Automotive Electronics Hardware Engineer

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus plan

Medical insurance

Retirement fund

Professional development

Hybrid work

R&D facilities

Generous leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Automotive Electronics Hardware Engineer in Pretoria to lead end-to-end hardware design for critical vehicle ECUs and modules. You will drive architectures for high-speed digital systems, power electronics, and mixed-signal interfaces while mentoring a team of engineers and ensuring ISO 26262 compliance.

The role offers opportunities to shape autonomous driving, electrification, and connectivity initiatives, with a hybrid work setup and access to advanced R&D

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical/Electronics Engineering or related field.
• 12+ years of automotive electronics hardware design experience.
• Proven track record launching complex ECUs.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and design of automotive hardware and ECUs.
• Define hardware requirements based on ISO 26262 and system specs.
• Oversee schematic capture, PCB layout, DFM/DFT, and debugging.
• Collaborate with software teams for HW-SW integration.
• Mentor hardware engineering teams and manage complex projects.
• Stay current with automotive electronics trends.

Skills

High-speed digital design

Mixed-signal design

Power electronics

Leadership

Functional safety

Education

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in automotive technology and innovation, is seeking a highly experienced and influential Principal Automotive Electronics Hardware Engineer to spearhead hardware development for critical vehicle systems in Pretoria . This senior position is responsible for the end-to-end design, development, and validation of complex automotive electronic control units (ECUs) and modules, driving innovation in areas such as autonomous driving, electrification, and advanced connectivity. You will guide technical strategy, mentor a team of talented engineers, and ensure the delivery of robust, high-performance hardware solutions that meet stringent automotive standards. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the technological future of vehicles and contribute to projects that are setting new benchmarks in the automotive industry. Join a forward-thinking organization in Pretoria where your expertise will directly influence the next generation of automotive electronic systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of complex automotive electronic hardware, including MCUs, SoCs, sensors, power management ICs, and communication interfaces.
• Define hardware requirements based on system specifications and functional safety goals (ISO 26262).
• Oversee schematic capture, PCB layout, and design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for test (DFT) processes.
• Manage component selection, qualification, and supply chain engagement for critical hardware elements.
• Develop and execute comprehensive hardware validation and testing plans, including environmental, EMC, and reliability testing.
• Collaborate with software engineering teams to ensure seamless hardware-software integration.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to hardware engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex hardware issues encountered during development, validation, and production phases.
• Stay current with emerging trends in automotive electronics, semiconductor technology, and high-speed digital design.
• Represent the hardware team in cross-functional project meetings and technical reviews.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in automotive electronics hardware design and development.
• Proven track record of successfully designing and launching complex automotive ECUs.
• Expertise in high-speed digital design, mixed-signal design, power electronics, and analog circuit design.
• Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro).
• Strong understanding of automotive standards (e.g., AEC-Q100, ISO 26262) and functional safety requirements.
• Experience with hardware debugging tools and techniques, including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical projects and guide engineering teams.
• Experience with AUTOSAR and embedded software interfaces is a plus.
• Must be eligible to work in Pretoria .

Benefits

• Highly attractive salary and bonus structure recognizing principal-level expertise.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Significant contribution to retirement fund.
• Substantial budget for continued professional development, including advanced courses and industry conferences.
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid options, to promote work-life balance.
• Opportunity to work on state-of-the-art automotive technology in Pretoria .
• Access to world-class engineering facilities and collaborative R&D environment.
• Generous annual leave and paid time off.